60 Watt Laser Status

[Steve Pilon]

So the other post here wasn't quite clear.

What is the status of the 60 watt laser?

[Tom Gralewicz]

Waiting for replacement lenses to be delivered.  Should be in next week.

On Wed, Sep 12, 2012 at 2:22 PM, Steve Pilon <spi...@gmail.com> wrote:

So the other post here wasn't quite clear.

What is the status of the 60 watt laser?

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Tom Gralewicz
Miller Electronics Recycling
(414) 380-1716
www.deadcomputers.com

[Ed Hagopian]

Any cash needed?

[Tom Gralewicz]

The lenses were only $36 each including shipping, so I ordered 2.  If you want to give me some cash that's fine, but we should have a donation jar next to the laser.   If everyone threw in a buck when they cut something we would have a fund to maintain the machines and buy material to cut.

So if you'r looking for a way to contribute, how about making a donation jar?

Tom

[Pete Prodoehl]

Uhhh, jar?

We need a laser cut box that is laser engraved with the words "Laser Donations" on it... you know, right next to the laser.

Pete

[David Buggs]

Isn't there a fund created that is baked into member dues that can be accessed to pay for things like this?  Taken to the extreme I could envision a jar next to every piece of equipment in the space, even the hand tools.

I can understand for consumables like on the Makerbot this approach makes sense.  For that I'd suggest a postal scale and a rate chart based upon a printed item's weight (including any raft). Costs would include consumables as well as a % extra for s/h and to build a fund for replacement parts like nozzles, etc.

Is this something for the new administration?

I'm ok with either approach but we should be forthcoming with new members and tell them that on top of monthly dues and any storage rented they will be asked from time to time to kick in for other repairs, consumables, software, special projects, etc.

Don't flame me, I'm new and still trying to understand how this all works.

Buggs

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[Pete Prodoehl]

I'm not a fan of nickel and diming to death, and I'd hate for someone to really want to use a machine and then not use it because they forgot their wallet or something. I think in the spirit of community things have worked well so far. When the laser needed a new lens people offered to chip in and get one. Tom Go. owns the 60 watt laser cutter, and almost every piece of equipment is owned by someone, but I think it's probably rare that all costs associated with a machine fall upon the owner. For instance, I think anyone who has broken a blade or a bit typically offers to replace it. For consumables like printer filament, the MakerBot came with 2 spools, and the guys at MakerBot then gave us two more. If we run out, I'm confident people will pitch in to get more, or one member will just order it.

That said, many hackerspaces *do* charge for things like laser cutter usage, which can be quite helpful as eventually the tube will need to be replaced, or something else will wear out (though many spaces had to raise funds to buy their laser cutters, so they are a major expense for them.)

As for new members, I think we should just let them know that we all chip in for consumables, and if you break a blade or  bit, replacing it is a common courtesy, as the equipment is owned by some other members.

But I'm still in favor of having a "Laser Donations" box next to the lasers, because they are really expensive machines, and we're lucky to have them, and I'd probably toss in at least a buck or two or five every time I use one.

Pete

[Ron Bean]

>For instance, I think
>anyone who has broken a blade or a bit typically offers to replace it.

Heh. I still have a broken endmill on my desk that I broke last spring.
It's supposed to be reminding me to order a new one. :-)

>But I'm still in favor of having a "Laser Donations" box next to the
>lasers, because they are really expensive machines, and we're lucky to have
>them, and I'd probably toss in at least a buck or two or five every time I
>use one.

Our "soda fund" actually makes a profit.

The "shop fund" doesn't, but I think that's partly because people don't
know where the donation jar is. (I think the last time I saw it, it had
a T-shirt on top of it)

[jason gessner]

On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 7:56 AM, Ron Bean <maker...@rbean.users.panix.com> wrote:

Our "soda fund" actually makes a profit.

The "shop fund" doesn't, but I think that's partly because people don't
know where the donation jar is. (I think the last time I saw it, it had
a T-shirt on top of it)

the soda fund doesn't really turn a profit - everything that comes in is spent.  We also don't really make a distinction between the "tool" and "soda" funds.  When we need blades or whatever, we use whatever cash is there. 

 

-jason

[Pete Prodoehl]

Speaking of money, I'd really like to see us offer classes when we have
a space that allows us to do so.

I'm sure I could get a bunch of non-members to take an Intro to Laser
Cutting class (where they get to cut a small project) but of course we'd
need to have a reliable laser cutter that doesn't break down. :)

And jason, I think I shared this with you, but here's a nice link on how
to host classes:

http://www.hackpittsburgh.org/wiki/index.php?title=ClassHostingHowTo


Pete

On 9/13/12 8:54 AM, jason gessner wrote:
> On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 7:56 AM, Ron Bean
> <maker...@rbean.users.panix.com

> --
>
>
>

[Jim Rawson]

NYC Resistor's Laser was also down last month.  Coincidence?

[Have Blue]

On 9/12/2012 11:24 PM, Pete Prodoehl wrote:
> But I'm still in favor of having a "Laser Donations" box next to the
> lasers, because they are really expensive machines, and we're lucky to
> have them, and I'd probably toss in at least a buck or two or five
> every time I use one.

I'd very much like to see a 'laser donations box' as well - not being a
member, I'd like to throw in some money directly for use of the laser to
help keep it running. Ideally, it would be nice to see all of the
popular machines have a donation box by them - people can then donate to
a particular piece of equipment if they find it particularly useful.

On a side note, I visited the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum several
weeks ago (http://www.warplane.com/), and they have various donation
boxes in front of their restoration section - one for each of the main
projects underway. Additionally, I saw another donation box that
actually had 3 slots - one for restoration, one for aircraft
maintenance, and one for something else. It was a great way for people
to 'vote with their dollars' to show what they think the museum's
priorities should be.

[David Buggs]

Pete:

I'd already added that idea to the Wiki page, classes that is, not specifically the laser cutting aspect,

Buggs

On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 9:07 AM, Pete Prodoehl <ras...@gmail.com> wrote:

Speaking of money, I'd really like to see us offer classes when we have a space that allows us to do so.

I'm sure I could get a bunch of non-members to take an Intro to Laser Cutting class (where they get to cut a small project) but of course we'd need to have a reliable laser cutter that doesn't break down. :)

And jason, I think I shared this with you, but here's a nice link on how to host classes:

  http://www.hackpittsburgh.org/wiki/index.php?title=ClassHostingHowTo


Pete

On 9/13/12 8:54 AM, jason gessner wrote:

On Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 7:56 AM, Ron Bean
<maker...@rbean.users.panix.com

<mailto:makerspace@rbean.users.panix.com>> wrote:


    Our "soda fund" actually makes a profit.

    The "shop fund" doesn't, but I think that's partly because people don't
    know where the donation jar is. (I think the last time I saw it, it had
    a T-shirt on top of it)


the soda fund doesn't really turn a profit - everything that comes in is
spent.  We also don't really make a distinction between the "tool" and
"soda" funds.  When we need blades or whatever, we use whatever cash is
there.

-jason

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[Ed Hagopian]

Pete, I'm talking with someone who is a Community Arts Specialist at MPS, I think there is some opportunity there once we get into the new space. I've given her resources and invited her out to either the open house or meeting day.

[Ed Hagopian]

I'll throw a $20 in next time I'm around.

 

My opinion is that if your a heavy user of any given peice of equipment, that the occasional support of that equipments need is just good karma, and lends it's self to it's continued existance.